The John C. Culver Public Policy Center
An educated citizenry is vital for a healthy democracy
2022 Culver Lecture
Journalist John Nichols delivered the 11th Annual Culver Lecture at Simpson College on April 14, 2022 in Hubbell Hall, Kent Campus Center.
Click here to watch the full video of Nichols’ lecture.
Nichols, author of The Fight for the Soul of the Democratic Party: The Enduring Legacy of Henry Wallace’s Antifascist, Antiracist Politics, focused on Iowan Henry A. Wallace’s lasting influence on American politics.
The bipartisan Culver Lecture series is one of the highlights of the academic year for the John C. Culver Public Policy Center at Simpson College. The series features a roster of prominent figures in politics, media and public affairs who reflect on broader trends in American government and public discourse.
Simpson College sets record for student voting during 2020 election
Student voting rose above 75% in 2020 presidential election
Simpson College announced today that student voting on its campus set new institutional records in last year’s presidential election, rising to 75.3% in 2020 from 60.6% in 2016.
All In Gold Campus
Simpson College has been recognized as a Gold Campus by ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for excellence in student voter engagement during the 2020 presidential election. Simpson posted a voter rate of 75.3% in 2020, a 14.7% increase from 2016.
Track your issues and send your opinions directly to your Members of Congress with Simpson’s customized IssueVoter website:
Upcoming Events
Become a Culver Fellow
Each year, a select group of incoming students with a passion for politics and public service will be awarded a renewable annual scholarship of $2,000 — in addition to all other merit- and need-based financial aid awarded by Simpson College.
Public service may include contributions made within the context of volunteer work, elected office, government service and civic engagement. In addition to the scholarship, Culver Fellows are the student leaders of the John C. Culver Public Policy Center who are involved in all aspects of the center’s work on campus and in the broader community.
Applications for the Culver Fellowship for the Fall 2022 incoming first-year class are due February 15, 2022. Click here.
For more information on the John C. Culver Fellows program contact:
Simpson College Office of Admissions: 800-362-2454 or admiss@simpson.edu.
Seth Andersen, Director, Culver Public Policy Center: 515-961-1354 or seth.andersen@simpson.edu.
Meet the Culver Fellows
Engaged. Active. Involved. Committed. These are all words to describe both the current Culver Fellows and the growing list of alumni. Introduce yourself to these leaders.
Our programs inspire students to pursue public service careers with integrity and moral courage
The John C. Culver Public Policy Center is dedicated to civic engagement and public service. It was established at Simpson College in 2010 to honor John C. Culver, who served the people of Iowa for 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. His tenure was marked by a tireless pursuit of policies to ensure justice at home and peace abroad, and he is widely respected for his integrity and political courage by both Republicans and Democrats who served with him in Congress.
We strive to honor Culver’s example. The center’s nonpartisan programs educate and inspire active participation in our democracy and encourage young people to consider public service as their life’s work. For more information, please contact Culver Center Director Seth Andersen at 515-961-1354 or seth.andersen@simpson.edu.
Opportunities for Culver Fellows
Becoming a Culver Fellow comes with many experiences and opportunities for involvement including:
- Internships in politics, government, and public policy.
- Meeting presidential candidates and organizing for the Iowa Caucuses.
- Leading nonpartisan voter registration drives on campus in conjunction with the Andrew Goodman Foundation Vote Everywhere program and the Campus Election Engagement Project.
- Hosting nationally-recognized speakers for the annual Culver Lecture and other major programs.
- Traveling to Washington, D.C. for the Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP) and May Term immersion courses in politics and government.
- Representing Simpson College at conferences hosted by the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement at the Harvard Institute of Politics.
- Leading and serving on Culver Center committees:
- Communications
- Political Events
- Programs
- Voter Engagement
A Tribute To Former Senator John C. Culver
A video of the Tribute to Senator Culver is available to view on the Culver Center Facebook page.
A memorial fund has been established through the John C. Culver Public Policy Center at Simpson College. To make a gift, visit the Culver Center donation page.
Mail checks to: Culver Public Policy Center, Simpson College, 701 North C Street, Indianola, IA 50125.
Please call 515-961-1683 with any questions about donations to the Culver Center.
Senator Culver talks about the importance of public service